Windows 7 wireless connection problem - No Wireless Connections Available

Anonymous

I have just changed from Vista Home to Windows 7 Professional on my laptop. The laptop will access the internet with a wired connection only. It now indicates there are no wireless networks to join even though my is one of 50 in the area. I asked Windows to diagnose the problem but it has no suggestions.

Thank you.

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Anonymous

Thanks for the help!

I am now able to "see" the wireless connections but not connect when I click to access the connection.

Friends who visit with their PC's can access my home wireless after they login with the password if they are using Windows XP and/or Vista.

My Windows 7 is still an enigma!

Spent $99 and 1/2 day with Microsoft online tech support without a solution!!!!

Upgrade to Windows 7 has been a "bummer" --- may have to go back to XP or Vista if Microsoft does not provide an update fix.

Again, thanks for the assist!

SOLVED Just signed up to perhaps help the miriad of stressed people as I was. I had 5 computers connected to home network combination of Vista and XP - no network problems. Bought new laptop with Win 7. Connected fine to network.

Left laptop alone for week or so - didn't even turn it off and when I tried to start it up - no network connection possible! Could still "see" network but wireless just would continually try to connect without success. Attached a ethernet cable from router to laptop and it connects fine - just no wireless.

Messed around with aes, tkip, antivirus plus heaps of other suggestions. But the solution was to upgrade the firmware on my router. Downloaded it from tplink website and opened the routers setting webpage and uploaded the newest firmware.

There's no doubt it is a Win7 problem as the old firmware works fine with xp, vista but they don't tell you this when selling you win7 and you spend heaps of time trying to find these solutions. I didn't try system restore but this would've been my next step as the win7 did work for a couple of weeks before it went down, so it has to be some kind of update or something that conflicted with the router after previously working.

Hope this helps someone.

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Anonymous

While what you have listed here are some good basic things to follow, I was already doing them. I saw my problem show up when a patch was applied to my laptop. Originally I saw that patch being offered by the ASUS laptop update utility. I backed it out and the problem went away. Later I installed some Microsoft patches and the problem came back. Here is the issue I am seeing:

When I first bring up the system the WIFI is never turned on automatically, as it is supposed to be and as it used to do prior to the patch. I have to select the icon in the system tray, which shows the WIFI as of to turn it on. It does so for all for about 5 seconds, just long enough to attach to the network, and then it turns itself off again! I then have to do this a second time and that one will work.

It also turns itself off when any device changes are made to the system, such as plugging in or removing a USB flash drive.

I sometimes see it turn itself off when my screensaver has been running for a while, but it has to have been for quite a while, say at least 20 minutes.

I have completely disabled it being powered off by Windows, so it shouldn't ever be turning this off unless I tell it to.

This system has Intel My WiFi Technology in it and I saw some post about updating Intel drivers from their site fixed a similar issue, but it turns out that was for a different Intel WIFI chipset than what I have. I have verified I am on the latest version of their drivers.

This become quite intolerable when I am at class at ITT and need to be on the network using my WIFI connection.

I am open to any suggestions. Right now it seems my only option is to backout the last set of patches from Microsoft, because I don't know just which one causes the problem, and ignore all other patches that are made available. That is not a good solution, because it means I will be ignoring possible security and bug fixes that I actually do need.

Mike

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to thank you all for the active discussion in this thread, and I would like to jump in and see if I can help address the multiple issues that seem to be covered in here.   I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Barb Bowman (MVP) for their efforts in this thread to date 

For a full list of steps to try, see the Wired and Wireless Tutorial on this page:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/wired-and-wireless-network-connection-problems-in-windows

After reading through the thread, there appears to be some confusion regarding Wireless Networking technologies and configurations using Windows 7 and I would like to spend some time to try and clear things up with some basic troubleshooting / best practices for Wireless Network related issues.

1.       First try and power off your modem, router and desktop/laptop. Then power on the modem, then the router, and then finally the desktop/laptop. Please do this in that order, allowing 60 seconds in between each device to enable the device to be fully booted and able to accept connections.

2.       Update the drivers for your wireless network adapter via Windows Update, or by using the website for either the company you bought your PC/Laptop from or the manufacturer of your networking device.

3.       Ensure that your router is set to broadcast it’s network name (SSID), ensure that you are connecting to the correct wireless network (SSID) and that you are using the correct WEP/WPA passkey on both devices.

a.       Please use “Windows Connect Now” or “Wi-Fi Protected Setup” if available on your wireless router to ensure that the connection is setup correctly.

4.       If you are trying to use WPA or WPA2, please ensure that both your network adapter and wireless router support this protocol. If you are having issues detecting your wireless network when using WPA or WPA2, try configuring your router to use WEP instead and see if you can connect.

a.       Please note that the change between WEP/WPA/WPA2 will need to be made on both your computer and wireless router.

b.      If you are only able to connect using WEP, then your networking hardware may need a firmware upgrade. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, please call your hardware/router manufacturer for help in doing this.

5.       If you are having a problem with your wireless connection after resuming from hibernate or sleep, or are having intermittent connectivity issues, try to adjust your Power Management profile to change your Wireless Adapter Settings to Maximum Performance.

a.       To do this click “Change Plan Settings” next to your Power Profile, and choose “Wireless Adapter Settings” and set it to Maximum Performance. You should do this with all of your power profiles. Additional guidance is available here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/power-management

6.       Call the support line for your router manufacturer. It is likely that neither Windows nor the router are having problems, it is simply an issue of getting the configuration settings on both set up to work correctly together. The router manufacturer will be the best resource to know how to configure their device. Most of the contact numbers are listed here: http://support.microsoft.com/gp/vendors/en-us

For more information please see the following links:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Why-can-t-I-connect-to-a-network

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/set-up-a-wireless-router

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Add-a-device-or-computer-to-a-network

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Wireless-networking-frequently-asked-questions

I will continue to monitor this thread but will likely end up splitting this thread into individual smaller threads to address the various different issues that have been mentioned so far.

If anyone has any questions please let me know.

Thanks,

Kevin

If you find that my answer was what you were looking for, please remember to click the "mark as answer" box below!

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to thank you all for the active discussion in this thread, and I would like to jump in and see if I can help address the multiple issues that seem to be covered in here. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Barb Bowman (MVP) for their efforts in this thread to date 

For a full list of steps to try, see the Wired and Wireless Tutorial on this page:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/wired-and-wireless-network-connection-problems-in-windows After reading through the thread, there appears to be some confusion regarding Wireless Networking technologies and configurations using Windows 7 and I would like to spend some time to try and clear things up with some basic troubleshooting / best practices for Wireless Network related issues.

1. First try and power off your modem, router and desktop/laptop. Then power on the modem, then the router, and then finally the desktop/laptop. Please do this in that order, allowing 60 seconds in between each device to enable the device to be fully booted and able to accept connections.

2. Update the drivers for your wireless network adapter via Windows Update, or by using the website for either the company you bought your PC/Laptop from or the manufacturer of your networking device.

3. Ensure that your router is set to broadcast it’s network name (SSID), ensure that you are connecting to the correct wireless network (SSID) and that you are using the correct WEP/WPA passkey on both devices.

a. Please use “Windows Connect Now” or “Wi-Fi Protected Setup” if available on your wireless router to ensure that the connection is setup correctly.

4. If you are trying to use WPA or WPA2, please ensure that both your network adapter and wireless router support this protocol. If you are having issues detecting your wireless network when using WPA or WPA2, try configuring your router to use WEP instead and see if you can connect.

a. Please note that the change between WEP/WPA/WPA2 will need to be made on both your computer and wireless router.

b. If you are only able to connect using WEP, then your networking hardware may need a firmware upgrade. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, please call your hardware/router manufacturer for help in doing this.

5. If you are having a problem with your wireless connection after resuming from hibernate or sleep, or are having intermittent connectivity issues, try to adjust your Power Management profile to change your Wireless Adapter Settings to Maximum Performance.

a. To do this click “Change Plan Settings” next to your Power Profile, and choose “Wireless Adapter Settings” and set it to Maximum Performance. You should do this with all of your power profiles. Additional guidance is available here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/power-management

6. Call the support line for your router manufacturer. It is likely that neither Windows nor the router are having problems, it is simply an issue of getting the configuration settings on both set up to work correctly together. The router manufacturer will be the best resource to know how to configure their device. Most of the contact numbers are listed here: http://support.microsoft.com/gp/vendors/en-us

For more information please see the following links:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Why-can-t-I-connect-to-a-network

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/set-up-a-wireless-router

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Add-a-device-or-computer-to-a-network

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Wireless-networking-frequently-asked-questions

I will continue to monitor this thread but will likely end up splitting this thread into individual smaller threads to address the various different issues that have been mentioned so far.

If anyone has any questions please let me know.

Thanks,

Kevin

If you find that my answer was what you were looking for, please remember to click the "mark as answer" box below!

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507 additional answers

Anonymous

2010-04-29T19:36:52+00:00

TechHelper wrote:

Option 1: Purchase a new router ....

I don't mean to sound flip, but seriously -- how is a new router going to help me when I travel with the laptop and attempt to connect in hotels, airports, etc.?
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Anonymous

2010-04-29T18:34:52+00:00

Hello again all!

I've read through this thread and I wanted to comment to try to help people with the problems they are having. I do not believe my comments will be well recieved, but overall I speak the truth and if my guidance is followed I believe you will be up and running on Windows 7 and happy with your experience.

My guidance is going to be broken out into sections based on level of user knowledge with networking. Please read the section that applies to your level of comfort...

Novice user options:

Option 1: Purchase a new router that has the "Windows Connect Now"/"Wifi Protected Setup" feature. This will allow you to push a button on the router, enter a passcode on the computer, and the wireless will be set up and working with you having no other interaction. This is an excellent new technology that every novice user should be taking advantage of.

Option 2: Get someone else to set it up for you. Whether that be Best Buy, a local network technician or that one guy you know that works at a tech company or as a network admin. Honestly, instead of beating your head into the wall wondering why your new laptop doesn't "just work", allow someone else to set it up, save yourself the headache, and then you'll be up and running in no time.

Option 3: Run the network setup wizard that is on the disk that was provided when you purchased your router originally. I understand that the network was working before you upgraded from Vista/XP to Win7 and I also understand that it is working fine on your other XP/Vista laptop/desktop. However, the settings on Win7 haven't been set up properly yet, and the disk from the router manufacturer will help you! If you do not have this disk, see option 1.

Option 4: Run the networking troubleshooter; let Windows try to diagnose the problem for you! Right click on the networking icon in the lower right hand corner of the screen and choose "Troubleshoot Problems". Let it run (it may take a while), and then do whatever its recommendations are. Many times this will help solve the problem.

Option 5: Make sure that the wireless switch on your laptop is turned on. Most/All laptops have a hardwired swtich on them (or Fn-F2 type switch) that enables/disables the wireless. Check to make sure that your wireless is even turned on. On your laptop there will be an indicator light telling you that wireless is turned on.

Intermediate user options:

Option 1: Reset the router, reinstall the network adapater drivers, reboot everything, and start from scratch. Try to use the disk provided from the router manufacturer if you have it, but if not you can look at the documentation for the router online.

Option 2: Revert your connection back from secured to un-secured and try to connect. If you can, then move up to WEP and see if that connects. If it does, move up to WPA/WPA2 and see if that connects. Find out which one cannot connect, back down to the previous one, and leave it there. IF unsecure is the only way you can connect, then contact your router manufacturer for assistance.

Option 3: Make sure that your router supports the connection type that your desktop/laptop is trying to use. For example, many laptop's shipping today come with wireless "N" only. Many routers do not support the "N" specification, only "B" and "G". If you have an "N" only, and a "B"/"G" router, you will never get connected. Also, if you have your adapter set to connect via "N" and the network is set to "B/G" that will also not work. If either your adapter supports "B/G" or your router supports "N" then you need to set both to the same setting.

Option 3: I know you consider yourself intermediate, but please look at the options under Novice. They are really your best bet if your options 1 and 2 didnt work for you.

Advanced user options:

Note: If you are advanced then you have already tried the above options on your own and already know the difference between AES and TKIP. If you do not or have not, then move up in this list.

Option 1: Update the firmware on your router. It is likely that you have an older router that needs an update to work with the newer encryption/protocols/etc.

Option 2: Go find the settings/options on your other computer and input them manually onto your Win7 box. If the other box is connected and working and Win7 is not, I am 99% sure that it is because something isn't set exactly right.

Option 3: Try to figure out where your connection drop is. Ping the loopback, do you get a response? Ping the default gateway, do you get a response? Ping your DNS address, do you get a response? Ping a known good web address, do you get a response? You may find that you are connected to the router, but not the internet. I know you probably already did this since your advanced, but give it a try anyway.

Option 4: Change the frequency/channel of your connection. It is possible that you are either on a band that is getting interference from something externally, or you are operating outside of the range for the devices involved. This is a setting on the router, the adapater will autodetect on it's end.

Option 5: Uninstall the cruddy wireless connection manager software that comes with your wireless card. This software is helpful for the novice and intermediate user, but not for you! You are advanced! It is possible that this software is conflicting with your connection and since you don't need it anyway, you should remove it and set up the connection via Windows manually. This is the purest, and most latency free, way to connect in a Windows environment.

Option 6: Although you are advanced, and I appreciate that you are, you should look at the above options. Even though you know how to connect your 4 year old router to your new Win7 box, shouldn't you either A) think about replacing it to a newer/faster "N" router or B) get someone to do it for you? Spend the $50, and move on with your day. Fight the good fight someplace else, not with your network.

Alright guys, I know that not everything I said will be well recieved, but I assure you that if you follow this posting to the letter (and possibly shell out some money for some new hardware or for an in house technician) that you will be up and running in no time!

Thanks for listening and I hope you well in the future.
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